Archive · 28 Dec 2025
Doctor's Mission to Promote Body Donation in Karnataka
Dr. Mahantesh B Ramannavar is a doctor who decided to follow his father's wish to donate his body for medical research.
This inspired Dr. Ramannavar to start a mission to encourage more people in Karnataka to donate their bodies after they pass away.
He faced many challenges, like people's beliefs and lack of knowledge, but he has been successful in getting over 5,000 people to register for body donation.
His trust has helped donate more than 200 bodies to medical colleges.
He also works with spiritual leaders to spread awareness and ensure that donated bodies are treated with respect.
Dr. Ramannavar hopes the government will get more involved to help with body donation across the state.
Dr. Mahantesh B Ramannavar, an anatomy professor, has been promoting body donation awareness in Karnataka since 2010.
His mission started after he dissected his father's body as per his father's will.
The Dr. Ramannavar Charitable Trust has registered over 5,000 body donations and facilitated over 200 donations to medical colleges.
Ramannavar faces challenges due to cultural, religious beliefs, and lack of awareness about body donation.
He collaborates with spiritual leaders to increase registrations and ensures donated bodies are treated with respect.
- Who
- Dr Mahantesh B Ramannavar, an anatomy professor and departmental head at BM Kankanwadi Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya under KLE University (Belagavi).
- What
- A mission to promote body donation awareness in Karnataka.
- When
- Since November 13, 2010, following the dissection of his father's body as per his will.
- Where
- Belagavi, Karnataka, India.
- Why
- To address the shortage of bodies for medical education and research, and to overcome cultural and religious barriers to body donation.
- Doctor's Name
- Dr Mahantesh B Ramannavar
- Location
- Belagavi, Karnataka
- Trust Name
- Dr Ramannavar Charitable Trust
- Bodies Donated
- Over 200
- Registrations
- More than 5,000
- Inspiration
- English physician William Harvey
- Key Challenge
- Cultural and religious beliefs
- Government Involvement
- Limited, seeks larger scale participation